Making Progress

As I mentioned last week, after 11 days I finally got on the bike and felt good. That was Saturday, 11 days after three fractured vertebrae. Indoors, but on the bike. I can’t be thankful enough for Zwift. It really is a game changer when it comes to indoor training. 

My Virtual Pain Cave - Zwift

My goal is to be on the starting line of the Utan Mixed Epic, a self supported race through the mountains and deserts of Utah. On Sunday the 2nd ride since the crash, I was able to stretch the ride to three hours, but at an easy pace. Monday, was an easy recovery ride, and Tuesday 1.5 hours at endurance Intensity. 

Wednesday, exactly 2 weeks after the crash, I decided to push it a bit and hit the hills. I picked a very hilly route that ended with a climb up the equivalent of Alp d’Huez, called Alp d’Zwift. I expected my power to be down, with the 11 day lay off and the pain in my back, but I didn’t expect my Heart Rate to go through the roof. My average power on the climbs was in the zone 3 range while my heart rate was way up in zones 4 and 5. This is a bit disappointing since before the crash, I was setting the best times and power output in four years. However, I won’t dwell on that, because the fact that I can get on the bike and ride at all at this point, is something to be very grateful for. The key is to keep a positive attitude, stay focused on recovery, and work to be in the best shape I can be, given the circumstances.

Climbing Alp d'Zwift

Summiting Alp d'Zwift

Another key component to training for this race is testing equipment and sorting out what to take. This requires overnight rides to test lights, batteries, food choices, camping gear, bike packs, GPS, and myself. Although, most of my equipment was thoroughly tested during the Tour Divide, I now have a different bike and changes that need shaken out.  Optimally, I would spend several weekends, riding 12-18 hours, camping, then riding the same distance the next day. Obviously, this is not going to be an option as it will probably be a couple more weeks before I can even ride outside, and the start is just around the corner. But I’ll do what I can, and who knows, I seem to be healing quickly, so maybe I’ll get out there sooner than later. In the mean time, Zwift is my ticket!

Crash and Recovery

It’s been a pretty rough week since the last post. But we have to take the bad with the good, stay positive, and not lose sight of our goals. And my current goal is to race the Utah Mixed Epic and raise awareness and support for Kids on Bikes. I love their mission, as it reflects so much on where I come from, and what they contribute to the well being, health, and joy of disadvantaged kids is so essential today.

Regulated to Trainer for a While

While returning home from my “Wednesday Morning Cheyenne Canyon Hill Repeats” which I cut short due to fatigue, I hit a deer descending at somewhere between 35 and 40 mph.

Ended up in the emergency room via ambulance. Prognosis: 5 fractures in 3 vertebrae (L1 - L3), a whole lot of soft tissue damage in the lower back, standard road rash, and a shattered helmet, which probably saved my life. The good news is the vertebrae did its job and protected the spine, and the deer got up and ran off into the woods, so I hope it’s OK. So the Telluride 100 just 11 days away from the crash was out. Other good news: The doctor, a cyclist, predicts full recovery in 4 - 6 weeks. Although the vertebrae is fractured, there was no displacement, so letting the “pain be my guide”, the act of riding a bicycle should not cause further injury. 

The doctor also said, “the first few days will be very tough” and he was right. The first three days I couldn’t get out of bed without help. Bless my amazing wife, Roswitha, for all that she did to take care of me as my “at home nurse”.

I am incredibly grateful that it wasn’t worse. It was a hard violent crash, and at my age I should have come out of it much worse. Our bones are supposed to be brittle at this age. When I hit the ground and felt the pain in my back, and could not get up out of the street, my first thought was, “uh oh, this could be a life changing event”.  I had a lot of time to think about this over the time I was confined to bed, and I’m convinced that being Vegan/Plant Based almost my entire adult life has a lot to do with it. During the many years that I’ve been plant based, I’ve had relatively few injuries, and always seem to heal faster than normal.

Four days later, on Sunday, I was able to take a short walk. It was painful, and I looked like a 90 year old man, but I walked. Each day got just a little better; slow but sure progress. Each day, I was able to pick up my walking pace a little bit more and go a little bit farther. Most of the pain came from the “soft tissue damage”. 

"Gemma the Dog" accompanies on first "Walk"

Ms. Deer on first Walk. Gave her lots of Space!

Luckily, I have the option of working from home, so on Monday, did just that. I could not, and still can’t, sit for extended periods of time, so my awesome employer, Plus3 IT Systems, at my request, immediately sent me a stand up desk converter. 

On Wednesday, one week after the crash, I decided to quit taking the pain meds, except when going to bed, and let the pain decide how far I could push myself. 

Thursday, eight days after the crash, I was able to dress myself, including putting on my socks and shoes. Up until this point I was working from home but chose to go into the office. That was probably pushing a little bit too much, and made for a very uncomfortable night.

Finally, on Saturday morning, 11 days after the crash I got back on the bike. The trainer albeit, but I was pedaling, and it felt good to get that old familiar rhythm going again. It was rough getting on and off the bike, but while on it, I felt great. I wanted to pedal forever, but kept it to 90 minutes.

Feels So Good to be back on the Bike!

It’s been incredible how many people have reached out to offer help, pick my stuff up from the fire department, offer encouragement, positive thoughts, and prayers. I consider myself so fortunate to belong to such an awesome community, employer, and wife. I’m on the mend, and sooo looking forward to Utah and supporting Kids on Bikes. This adventure will be special!

Utah Mixed Epic and Kids on Bikes

It’s been a long break from the blogging world since the Tour Divide. So much has changed since then but yet much remains the same. Changes of course include the whole world turned upside down with the Corona Virus. What remains the same is my sincere gratitude for my employer, friends, family and my ability to continue to push myself in endurance activities. Toward the end of 2019, the Cheyenne Mountain High School Mountain Bike Team stepped up and participated in a 24 hour indoor bike relay race to raise funds for Kids on Bikes. We formed three teams;  1) the high school racers, 2) coaches, parents, and alumni, and 3) myself who rode solo. Friends and family supported in a big way by donating to Kids on Bikes and my employer, Plus3 IT Systems, matched donations to help our Team raise over $5,000. This will go a long way in promoting healthy lifestyles for underserved kids in our region. Not to mention the incredible joy it brings to so many of these kids.

Kids on Bikes is an organization for which I feel a strong connection. I come from a similar background as many of these kids, and I know the difference a chance to explore a different world can make. Kids on Bikes give these kids that chance. What I really like and respect about Kids on Bikes is they don’t just give away bikes and walk away. First, the kids are required to earn their bike, then Kids on Bikes sticks with them, offering programs like bike camps, maintenance clinics, and the promotion of healthy life styles.

With all that said, I am going to embark on a new adventure called the Utah Mixed Epic (UME). UME is a 1.000 mile self supported bike race through the mountains, desert, and back country of Utah starting in Salt Lake City and ending in St. George. I am dedicating this race to Kids on Bikes and using it as a fundraiser to support their virtuous cause. I am super excited for this opportunity to still at age 63, (the race starts the day before my 63 birthday) be able to take on such a challenge and use it to give back to our community. Training has been amazing and I feel I am up for the challenge.

Again I am so grateful to be able to do this, and that we can use this event to help a whole bunch of kids.  I’l be posting regular statuses on preparation and reports throughout the race. 

You can show your support of Kids on Bikes at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/ODg0NzA=